Rubbery interior fittings finish

dnsey · Unread post by **dnsey** » 01 Nov 2010, 19:29

Does anyone know a source (or substitute) for the rubbery finish used on C5 interior handles etc? Mine is peeling in places, and it would be nice to restore it if possible.

steelcityuk · Unread post by **steelcityuk** » 02 Nov 2010, 08:45

Sorry if this sounds flippant but the local breakers maybe the best bet. It seems to be not just C5s that supper from this.

Steve.

cachaciero · Unread post by **cachaciero** » 02 Nov 2010, 09:33

steelcityuk wrote:Sorry if this sounds flippant but the local breakers maybe the best bet. It seems to be not just C5s that supper from this.

Steve.

The only thing you will get from a breaker is a handle with the same problem.

The finish is a coating of some kind FWIW IBM Thinkpad laptops have the same kind of coatings which when well used exhibits just the same kind of wear.

cachaciero

cachaciero · Unread post by **cachaciero** » 02 Nov 2010, 09:35

Go have a look at http://www.goldburnfinishers.co.uk/next ... tings.html

This may be the answer.

cachaciero

KP · Unread post by KP » 02 Nov 2010, 11:36

Recent Lenovo Laptops use this horrible coating on their lids on it wears badly. Mine is worst on the corners from being in my bag but once worn away a nice shiney plastic is underneath, just takes lots of picking at it

dnsey · Unread post by **dnsey** » 02 Nov 2010, 16:42

Thanks, chaps!

I'm aware of Nextel, but it's not quite the same sort of thing.
I wonder if something like watered-down Copydex would work?

This and the C5 steering wheel thread just go to illustrate how far a car is now considered disposable, when finishes are designed only to last as long as the car's 'new'. At least you can re-polish a walnut dash if needed after 50 years or so!

DickieG · Unread post by **DickieG** » 02 Nov 2010, 18:36

The rubberised section of the handle simply pulls off, I understand a new one is about £7 so would it be worth looking for a second hand one at that price?

cachaciero · Unread post by **cachaciero** » 02 Nov 2010, 18:51

dnsey wrote:Thanks, chaps!

I'm aware of Nextel, but it's not quite the same sort of thing.
I wonder if something like watered-down Copydex would work?

This and the C5 steering wheel thread just go to illustrate how far a car is now considered disposable, when finishes are designed only to last as long as the car's 'new'. At least you can re-polish a walnut dash if needed after 50 years or so!

Out of curiosity how do you know that? have you managed to track a source of Nextel? I would be interested, I have to say that reading a description of the product it seems to me that it's pretty well identical to whats on the car (and the lid of my laptop

cachaciero

steelcityuk · Unread post by **steelcityuk** » 02 Nov 2010, 23:35

I didn't realise you could get just the cover. £7 pound's good but if you have to replace the lot there's a saving to be made and I like the recycling aspect or maybe it's the chance to mess around with a yard full of scrapped cars...

The gearlever on the A Class was the same sticky mess when I bought it so I replaced it with a leather one bought off Ebay from Bulgaria. Not an exact match but better than it was.

Steve.

addo · Unread post by **addo** » 02 Nov 2010, 23:40

I think the textured rubbery coating should be applied inside out.

The car deserves some fun, too.

dnsey · Unread post by **dnsey** » 03 Nov 2010, 16:52

@cachaciero:
Nextel's more of a 'furry', velour texture, rather than the rubbery feel of the C5 handles etc, rather like the glovebox interior.
I've come across it in connection with vintage hi-fi equipment, and understand the black version was used by amateur optical people for light baffling until it became difficult to get.
Apparently it's quite hard to apply correctly, and is certainly difficult to obtain in small quantities. There are DIY flocking kits available which might be a suitable substitute in some applications.

cachaciero · Unread post by **cachaciero** » 03 Nov 2010, 19:02

dnsey wrote:@cachaciero:
Nextel's more of a 'furry', velour texture, rather than the rubbery feel of the C5 handles etc, rather like the glovebox interior.
I've come across it in connection with vintage hi-fi equipment, and understand the black version was used by amateur optical people for light baffling until it became difficult to get.
Apparently it's quite hard to apply correctly, and is certainly difficult to obtain in small quantities. There are DIY flocking kits available which might be a suitable substitute in some applications.

Interesting I was trying to locate a supplier, don't think I'll bother now

The way you describe it suspect that it may need to be applied electrostatically. I seem to remember back in the late seventies a car finish that was a bit like you describe, an acquaintance of mine didn't wash and wax so much as wash and blow dry

thanks for the info.

cachaciero